How to care for rosalia. Do I need to fertilize a houseplant

Plants come to stores from nurseries. It is no secret that the azalea is a rather whimsical flower. Producers prepare plants for flowering and sale artificially.

In nurseries, they are treated with special synthetic substances that put the flower into a state of sleep. The plant has a presentable appearance and is able to bloom for several months thanks to fertilizers introduced in the nursery.

But at this time, the root system of the azalea is in a state of sleep and does not receive any development. As a result, the plant can get sick - the roots will begin to die from a fungal infection. This is one of the reasons why the azalea disappears immediately after it was brought from the store and placed on the windowsill at home.

approximate cost

Azalea prices in Moscow and St. Petersburg range from 250 to 2500 rubles per flower. There are several factors that affect the cost of a plant:

1. a variety of azalea (home and garden);
2. the size of the flower and its root system (the higher and more plant, the more expensive it is);
3. number of buds.

Most online stores have sales assistants who are ready to help not only with the choice of shrub variety, but also tell you in detail about caring for azalea at home after purchase.

A photo

What to do after the acquisition and how to save the plant?

Decide on the future place for the flower. Recommended parameters:

• well-lit space out of reach of direct sunlight (east or north side);
• temperature from 16 to 18 degrees - cool enough;
• high level of humidity.

ATTENTION! Inspect the soil of the plant by carefully pulling the flower out of the flowerpot.

Very often, to give a fresh look in stores, azalea is poured with water. If the soil is too wet:

1. Remove the flower from the pot and wrap the root system with soil with absorbent paper.
2. Repeat until soil is dry enough.

If the flower is dried:

1. It should be placed directly with the pot in a container of water for an hour. The liquid should reach the edges of the flowerpot.
2. After pulling the plant out of the water and allowing excess moisture to drain, placing the pot on a plate or tray, previously laid with expanded clay, so that the soil no longer touches the liquid.

Indoor flower adaptation period

A plant can be considered adapted only when, after moving to the windowsill from the store, the azalea will fade and give new shoots. During this nervous period, the plant should be especially carefully looked after and observed.

Azaleas do not tolerate heat, so do not place the flower on window sills above radiators.

Also, low humidity is detrimental to them. The cooler it is in the room during the adaptation period, the more likely it is that the plant will not die. Do not rush to fertilize the plant. In nurseries, azaleas are planted in overfed soil for further transportation and conservation. Subject to all the rules, it remains only to take a wait-and-see attitude.

Spraying "Epin" will help in adaptation. This is a biostimulant for plants created artificially. It helps to activate individual functions protection of the plant, raises its resistance to stress and immunity. Breeding instructions can be read on the package, and you can spray once every 10 days.

You can read more about plant nutrition, as an obligatory part of azalea care, about the fertilization procedure and other nuances.

How to care for a purchased plant so that it does not wither?

Azalea must get used to the room in which she was brought after purchase. Due to its capriciousness, the once beautiful flowering plant can drop flowers and leaves in a few days. If the leaves on the branches of the trunk still fell off or the plant wilts, then these are harbingers of the inevitable death of the shrub, so you need to know what to do in such a situation. To enjoy this plant for many years, you must adhere to the basic and important rules care for him and know, for a potted flower bought in a store.

ATTENTION! After the acquisition, the azalea is recommended to be transshipped, but not transplanted.

The transfer process is simple:

1. carefully remove the earthen lump together with the plant from the purchased flowerpot;
2. place the flower with soil in a new spacious pot;
3. fill free space with a special substrate;
4. do not over-moisten the ground.

How to save an azalea bought in a store? Under such conditions, the azalea tolerates adaptation better. The fragile root system is also preserved. The soil itself also has special requirements. On the roots of the azalea live special symbiont mushrooms that provide nutrition to the flower. Symbionts die in alkaline soil, followed by the plant itself. This is another reason why you should not wash the roots of azaleas.

The substrate must be acidic and pass moisture and air masses well. It is better to purchase a ready-made soil specially prepared for azaleas. young flowers should be annually. Older generation once every 3 years. At the same time, the upper layer of the earth is replaced without touching the delicate roots of the plant.

Temperature

The ideal temperature for the favorable development of azaleas is 10-15 degrees Celsius. However, in the summer heat it is very difficult to provide a flower with such a regime. But in the summer months, azaleas have a period of sleep and rest.

Autumn is the time for budding. During this period, it is necessary to lower the temperature of the azalea content to 6 degrees. As soon as the buds begin to bloom, increase it to 15. We wrote about caring for azalea in the fall.

IMPORTANT! Azalea can't stand the heat. But it is not recommended to water the flower cold water. This can lead to fungal growth. In summer, put ice around the plant on a saucer. This will save the flower from the heat and moisten the air around it.

Humidity in the pot

This factor is one of the most important. Dry air is detrimental to azaleas. For supporting high level moisture, you need to perform several manipulations:

1. choose a deep pallet for a flowerpot;
2. lay pebbles and moss on the bottom of the pallet (sphagnum is ideal);
3. make sure that liquid is constantly present in the pan;
4. during the flowering period, the leaves should be sprayed;
5. avoid large drops when moistening with a spray bottle, drops should be small to prevent spots on the leaves.

Light

This plant loves bright light. But at the same time, it can die under the influence of direct sunlight. The east and north sides are perfect for azaleas. It is possible to put an azalea in the south, but for this it is better not to use a window sill, but to purchase a stand and install it in front of the window.

Watering

Another important factor that helps to protect the azalea from death. Play a big role:

• water quality;
• temperature;
• abundance of watering;
• periodicity.

It is strictly forbidden to water the azalea with ice or cool water. A sharp temperature drop introduces the plant into a state of stress. It also serves as a kind of signal about the onset of autumn and the azalea can drop flowers and leaves (it says how to care for azalea in the fall). It is best to use a liquid of the same temperature as the azalea.

Use soft water:

1. boil;
2. let cool;
3. use only upper layer liquids;
4. do not touch the sediment.

When watered with plain water, the soil will turn from acidic to alkaline, as it contains magnesium and calcium salts. And when boiled, they precipitate. Lemon can be used to acidify the soil. 3 drops of juice are dissolved in a liter of liquid. If you transplant an azalea outdoors for the summer, then rain moisture will act favorably on it.

The flower does not tolerate drought. If the leaves and flowers have drooped, water the azalea immediately. It is better to prevent this and maintain a constant substrate moisture. At the same time, excess fluid can also damage the delicate roots of the azalea - they can rot.

What is unacceptable to do?

• heat;
• drought;
• waterlogging;
• a sharp temperature drop;
• direct exposure to sunlight.

If the flower begins to fade:

If the azalea sheds leaves, this may be the first sign of the death of the plant. What to do if the leaves have fallen?

1. Carefully inspect the soil for pests, mold or rot.
2. Spray the azalea with Epin or zircon. This should be done during the period when the plant does not bloom.
3. After 2 days, water and spray the azalea with phytosporin (10 drops per 250 ml of liquid).
4. Alternate procedures within 2-3 weeks. This will help the dying plant survive the stress.

Azalea requires increased attention and strictly consistent care. Very often, even when performing rescue procedures, the plant cannot be saved and it dies. Therefore, it is better not to bring the flower to a dying state.

With proper and careful care of the azalea, the plant will delight with its magnificent flowers for many years. It may seem to an inexperienced grower that this type of flower will take too much time. However, the rule quickly enough becomes a habit that brings only pleasure.

Related videos

Azalea is a spectacular and unusually attractive plant. However, it is extremely difficult to grow. No matter how capricious the azalea is, home care for it is possible. The main thing is to remember and clearly follow the basic rules of agricultural technology, which will help create conditions suitable for a whimsical beauty.

Azalea is the name used to refer to a group of plants in the genus Rhododendron. The usual indoor azalea is Sims' rhododendron (Indian) or blunt rhododendron (Japanese). Both are able to grow only in conditions close to natural. In nature, they grow on acidic soils in areas with a rainy cool climate - mainly mountain forests. Therefore, the care of the azalea in indoor floriculture is reduced to the most accurate reproduction of them.

In the more common Indian azalea, the leaves are leathery, up to 3.5 cm long, ovate, pubescent below. Flowers in the form of a wide funnel, from 3.5 to 5 cm in diameter. Japanese azalea is distinguished by narrower lanceolate shiny glossy leaves up to 5 cm long. Flowers of the same shape, but smaller - a maximum of 3 cm in diameter. Flowering occurs during the winter months. Both species are low, up to 50 cm, highly branched shrubs.

Azalea varieties

Through the efforts of breeders, varieties with more large flowers and a variety of colors; ampelous and pyramidal shapes bush. The azalea standard quickly gained recognition, which can be shaped like a bonsai. The most popular "ancestor" was precisely the Indian azalea, or indica azalea, which naturally has a wider range of flower colors: there are not only tonal whites and pinks or purples, but also bicolors.

Among the popular varieties is Stella Maris with semi-double white flowers and cherry speck at the base of the two upper petals. Azalea Ambrosus is distinguished by large terry rich crimson bell flowers.

How to care for an azalea

Despite the fact that azalea indica mix rarely survives at home, it is classified as a plant with medium difficulty agricultural technology. Azalea care is problematic in terms of recreating the right humidity and temperature. Otherwise, it is not more capricious than other "inhabitants" of window sills.

Lighting

The light is bright but diffused. For growing home azalea, eastern and western window sills are more suitable. Direct sunlight leaves burns on the leaves, so it is not recommended to place it on the southern windows.

Like any flowering indoor flower, azalea suffers from a lack of light on north-facing windows. If more suitable place no, the plant is provided with additional illumination. In the warm season, the azalea, if possible, is taken out into the street and placed in partial shade.

Temperature regime

The temperature regime is the most difficult moment for caring for a room azalea at home.

Such conditions are quite simple to provide to the owners of private houses. Azaleas are taken outside in the spring, and brought in in the fall, after the first frost. On the fresh air it is easier for the plant to put up with an increase in temperature. In autumn, after a cold "stress", the azalea blooms immediately after moving into the house, provided that there is a cool place for it here too.

Owners of apartments in which air conditioners are installed can place plants in the immediate vicinity of them. For those who live in apartments without it, there are two ways to maintain the required air temperature - ice and cool water. The pot is covered with ice, the leaves are regularly sprayed with cold water. In the autumn, during the laying of the kidneys, the azalea is taken out to the closed loggias.

Air humidity

When growing azaleas, it is required to maintain a high - 60-80 percent of air humidity. It is rather difficult to maintain this parameter on such indicators in an apartment environment. The best way- put a humidifier next to the rhododendron. You can spray the azalea with a spray bottle. This should only be done in the morning! For spraying use settled (not boiled) water.

You can additionally increase the humidity around the bush by placing the pot in a pan with water and expanded clay. Expanded clay in this case prevents the contact of the pot with water and contributes to a more uniform evaporation of moisture.

It is important to remember that hot air from batteries quickly lowers the humidity, which leads to drying and death of the leaves. So for the time being heating period Azaleas are best placed in the depths of the premises, providing it with additional illumination.

How to water an azalea

The azalea is also very demanding for watering: it should be plentiful in spring and summer, moderate in autumn and winter, only in the morning! With high moisture consumption, it does not tolerate stagnant water. Between watering, the top layer of the earthy coma should dry out.

The quality of water also matters: lime and chlorine are detrimental to rhododendron. Absolutely not to be used boiled water for watering ( best option- rain, melt, spring). If it is not possible to get it, tap water is defended in a wide open dishes within three days.

You can use top or bottom watering. In both cases, excess water from the pan must be drained. Azaleas are watered only in the early morning. If for some reason you missed this time, it is better to leave the plant dry until next day. Untimely watering kills him.

Fertilization

Fertilizers are applied twice a month. Like any indoor plant, azalea needs additional top dressing. Fertilizer for rhododendrons should in no case contain chlorine. During the active set of green mass, preference is given to universal fertilizers(nitrogen is more or the same as phosphorus and potassium).

During budding, the plant is “helped” with top dressing based on double superphosphate (1 tablespoon per 10 liters of water), which contributes to abundant flowering. The rest of the time, fertilizer is used for flowering plants (phosphorus and potassium should be more than nitrogen). Azalea responds well to treatments with Epin or Zircon (1 ml per 1 liter of water) “by leaf”. These stimulants will help her gain strength for flowering or survive an unfavorable period - heat or transplant.

Cutting and pinching

Timely pruning and pinching of the stems is important both for the formation of the bush and for long-term abundant flowering.

The first pruning is carried out in May. Remove both weak and strongly overgrown shoots, especially if they are turned inside the bush. They are pinched so that 4-5 buds remain on each.

It is worth considering that this pruning will form future view bush, so the place of the cut on each shoot is chosen so that the upper bud does not look inward, but outward. It should be remembered that the more branched the bush is, the weaker the flowering will be.

The second pruning is done after the buds are laid, removing the young shoots that have appeared below the flower buds and the “fatting” shoots. After flowering, azalea care comes down to the timely removal of wilted flowers. During pinching and pruning, it is worth remembering that all parts of the azalea are poisonous: if it gets on the skin, its juice causes irritation.

Post-Purchase Care

When buying, choose bushes without traces of cobwebs on the stems, dry or yellowed leaves with a large number of unopened buds. So you can enjoy flowering longer.

But if you want to grow indoor azalea even after it has finished flowering, it needs special care right after the purchase:

1. Within two weeks, treat the bush twice with an equal interval with any insecticide-acaricide (for example, Fitoverm or Akarin). Flowers from "Holland", as they are called, are often infested with mites and other pests. Even external signs no, in a month they can “suddenly” appear - and the plant will quickly die. So it's better to play it safe.
2. Simultaneously with pest control, they are treated with stimulants (Epin or Zircon), which will help the azalea survive a sharp change in conditions of detention and prepare for a future transplant. If you use biological insecticides, stimulants can be added directly to the working solution.
3. Most flowers are removed.
4. After two weeks, the plant is transferred to a pot, larger by 1 size. The roots are partially (along the edges) freed from the soil and viewed for the presence of rot.
5. The plant is placed in semi-greenhouse conditions for another 2 weeks.

If the transplant and care after the purchase will lead to the growth of new shoots, then the adaptation was successful, and green pet will delight you for more than one year.

Care during the flowering period

Azalea care at home during the flowering period differs slightly:

• young shoots appearing on flowering stems must be removed;
• for top dressing choose a fertilizer with a predominance of potassium and phosphorus;
• it is important to immediately pluck wilted flowers, otherwise they will continue to "pull" nutrients from a plant.

Azalea does not drop buds if it is expanded or rearranged to another place during flowering. She drinks more water at this time, which must be taken into account when watering. Young plants at the end of flowering are transferred to a large container. Care after flowering differs only in the change of fertilizer and a slight reduction in watering.

How to propagate azalea at home

Reproduction of azalea at home is an extremely complicated process. This can be done in one of 4 ways: cuttings, dividing the bush, grafting or seeds. In the last two ways, the azalea reproduces only in the conditions of professional greenhouses (they are used to obtain new varieties).

For cuttings, semi-lignified apical parts of stems no more than 10 cm long are used, which are not cut, but broken off. Only a healthy plant is used as a mother plant. The lower leaves are removed, planting material is treated with root formation stimulants (Kornevin, Cytokinin paste). The stalk is placed in acidic peat so that the lower 2 buds are covered by it. Then it is placed in a greenhouse. Root germination occurs only at a temperature of 25 degrees and the presence of lower heating. The process can take up to six months. All this time, the greenhouses are regularly ventilated, the cuttings are sprayed with water from a spray bottle.

It is much easier to propagate azalea by division. For this, adults (3-4 years old), healthy bushes are cut in two during transplantation. The roots of the delenok "unravel" very carefully. For their planting, close pots are used and placed in a greenhouse until young shoots begin to appear. In winter and autumn, cuttings or division are not carried out.

Transfer

Azalea transplantation at home is done annually after flowering, if the plant is young, and once every 2-3 years, if the plant is adult. Homeowners can plant indoor azalea outdoors in the spring and move it to a pot in the fall.

The root system of the azalea does not tolerate stress well, therefore, 2 weeks before transplanting, the plant is treated with Epin or Zircon. If you need to change the pot to a more suitable size, they are limited to transshipment.

Choosing a pot and suitable soil

The root system of the rhododendron is superficial, so wide, low containers are chosen for it. Azalea soil should be acidic (pH 4-4.5). It can be a mixture of 1 part of high-moor (quick-slaked) peat with 2 parts of coniferous land. A little washed river sand is necessarily added to the mixture, which helps prevent moisture stagnation.

You can purchase a ready-made substrate "For Azaleas", which will contain all the necessary components.

Transplant process

The bush is carefully taken out of the old pot, trying not to disturb the earthen ball. Place it in a new container with pre-filled drainage and a small layer of fresh soil; top and sides add required amount substrate, watered abundantly. With a planned transplant of azalea, the diameter of the pot is increased by 1, maximum by 2 sizes.

If part of the root system has begun to rot, you will have to clean the roots from the soil. The parts affected by rot are cut off, the sections are sprinkled with crushed charcoal. After transplanting, the bush is placed in a greenhouse. It is not recommended to transplant an azalea before flowering or during the budding process, unless the plant needs to be urgently "saved": in this case, the buds are removed.

Diseases and pests

Among the pests of the azalea, there is a mealybug, scale insect, aphid, whitefly, thrips, azalea moth. The spider mite "loves" rhododendrons very much. A plant infected with pests quickly loses leaves and dies.

If you know that the azalea did not dry out and did not stand near the battery in recent times, and the leaves crumble "before our eyes" - immediately start processing insecticides-acaricides.

There are diseases such as fusarium, powdery mildew, gray rot. They appear in the form of spots on the stems, rotten leaves. Fungal diseases of the azalea are "treated" with Fundazol or copper chloride.

Growing problems

The most common difficulty that owners of roddendrons face at home is the lack of budding. Azaleas usually don't bloom when they're hot. Flowering must be preceded by a period of cold content. It can also be affected by a lack of light or mineral fertilizers. In order for the azalea to bloom regularly and luxuriantly, observe agricultural practices.

There are also other difficulties:

1. Azalea leaves are falling. The reason may lie in the use of clay substrates, the presence of clay or chlorine in the water. Use only suitable soil and carefully defend the water.
2. Leaves fall off most often for a reason elevated temperature air. Move the plant to a cool place.
3. Azalea leaves turn yellow: perhaps direct sunlight fell on them - shade the plant.
4. Leaves wrinkle. The reason may be insufficient watering or low humidity. Make sure that the earthen ball does not dry out completely, spray the bush.
5. A short flowering period can be caused by insufficient watering, too bright sun, high temperature or a stream of hot air from batteries. Provide the plant with the right conditions.

Expert opinion

Color Expert

Azalea - quite capricious home plant, but with thorough observance of all the rules of agricultural technology, it will grow and bloom, delighting its owners.

Azalea (lat. Azalea). That's what the whole group is called. flowering species plants from the genus Rhododendron (Rhododendron) of the Heather family (Ericaceae). Previously, these species were separated into an independent genus - Azalea.

Azalea or rhododendron (translated from Greek - "rose tree") is considered one of the most beautiful indoor plants. It is especially appreciated for the fact that with its lush flowering it brings the breath of spring in the midst of winter cold.

A small, highly branched bush with small leaves in the winter months pleases the eye with a whole hat of amazing flowers. Azalea flowers are double and simple, corrugated and fringed, all kinds of shades of pink, as well as white, red, purple and variegated. There are early and late flowering varieties.

Azaleas are native to China, Japan, Southeast Asia, they grow in vivo in southern Europe and North America.

AT Eastern countries a flowering azalea bush is a symbol of joy and peace. They are often used to form bonsai.

The name "azalea" is used by botanists only to refer to one subgenus in big way Rhododendron. But in horticulture since the time of K. Linnaeus, both names have been preserved: deciduous species are usually called azaleas, and evergreens are called rhododendrons. In the trading network you can find the same species under different names, this is due to the popularity of one or another name in a given region or country.

Most often, an azalea is received as a gift in the midst of flowering. Having pleased the happy owner of the plant for a short time with its elegant flowers, the azalea bush crumbles and, alas, is thrown into the trash.

The climate of our apartments is not at all suitable for these plants. The ideal temperature for azaleas from late November to late January is a foggy warm autumn. The temperature is +10...+12 degrees, or even +6...+8 degrees at night, with fairly high humidity. In greenhouses for azaleas, they maintain the desired temperature and humidity, but in the dry air of city apartments on the windowsill above hot battery this beautiful flower is dying fast.

But, despite the fact that the azalea is quite capricious plant, she enjoys great love of fans of indoor floriculture. Azaleas can be successfully grown and propagated at home, admire beautiful flowers in winter. To do this, you need to study the natural habitat of this ornamental plant and, imitating nature, provide the azalea with the growing conditions that it needs.

Azalea species

Many are grown as flowering houseplants. different varieties descended from two main species:

• Indian azalea or Sims' rhododendron (Rhododendron simsii), Sims's azalea;
• japanese azalea or blunt rhododendron (Rhododedron obtusum).

Azalea Sims

japanese azalea

Both species are dwarf shrubs 30-50 cm high. Based on natural species A lot of varieties of indoor and garden azaleas have been bred. They differ in size and shape of the bush, but most of all in flowers. This is clearly seen in the photo of blooming indoor azaleas:

Azalea Advents-glocken

Azalea Coelestina

Azalea Concinna

Azalea Euroup

Azalea Max_Schame

Azalea Zolushka

Azalea Apollo

Azalea Doberlug

Azalea Podolianka

Azalea Kiyewsky_vals

Azalea Schneegold

Azalea Schnee

Azalea Care

Azalea is a rather capricious houseplant. But with the right content, it will delight you more than once with the abundance of its amazing colors. You need to know the features of the maintenance of azaleas in room conditions and some rules for caring for this flowering plant, based on an understanding of the characteristics of its life in natural conditions. We must imitate nature and provide plants with the ingredients they need.

Lighting

Azalea does not tolerate direct sunlight, it needs diffused light or partial shade. In summer, it is recommended to take it out into the open air, avoiding scorching sun. It is best to dig with a pot in the garden in a sparse shade. Good summer rain azaleas are very useful.

If the climate in your area is mild, then some varieties of azaleas can be grown outdoors, protecting them from frost in winter and enjoying an abundance of flowers in summer.

Air humidity

Azaleas need high humidity. If the azalea is in the apartment, then with the beginning of the heating season it becomes very dry in the rooms, and it is necessary to maintain high humidity air: regularly spray the plant.

Watering.

For Azalea proper watering has a very great importance. The soil must not dry out. Neither waterlogging nor stagnation of water in the pan should be allowed. Ideal for irrigation - rain, melt or clean river water. As a last resort, settled tap water.

It is recommended to acidify water for watering azalea (several crystals citric acid per 1 liter of water), so as not to lower the acidity of the soil. Azaleas need to be watered room temperature(by no means ice cold). In autumn, watering is slightly reduced.

Because it works well for Azaleas peat soil, which, when dried, turns into a hard lump and does not absorb water, it is useful to periodically immerse the pot with the plant in a large vessel with water for several hours. If the plant is large, then just use a deep pan.

In no case should you loosen the soil - the azalea has thin, delicate roots that are easily damaged.

in cool greenhouses winter time practice putting ice or snow on the surface of the soil under the plant. The snow slowly melts and gradually soaks the ground with melt water. But in warm apartments a large temperature difference between the roots and the crown of the plant can adversely affect flowering.

Temperature

Azalea is very demanding on temperature. AT winter period it needs a cool air temperature (12-14 ° C), but when proper care they can also grow at 20-22 °C. If the azaleas rested in the garden in the summer, it is very important to move them into the apartment before the start of the heating season.

The soil

Azalea is one of the few indoor plants that require acidic soil(pH 4-4.5). Heather soil is best for her, but you can replace it with a mixture of coniferous and peat soil (2: 1) with the addition of a small amount river sand. Azalea grows well in hydroponics. Can be bought at flower shop specially prepared soil mixture for acidophilic ("acid-loving") plants, which include azaleas.

Transfer

Young plants are transplanted annually, old ones - once every 2-3 years. When transplanting azaleas, it is undesirable to disturb the root ball; instead of transplanting, transshipment with the addition of a fresh substrate is recommended.

Since the root system of the azalea is superficial, only low pots are used as dishes.

Fertilizer

It is necessary to feed the plant in spring and summer once a week with fertilizers for azaleas (ammonium sulfate, ammonium nitrate, superphosphate, potassium sulfite), winter-autumn - superphosphate is recommended during budding (15 g per 10 l of water).

Bloom

To achieve abundant flowering, you need to cut and pinch the stems in a timely manner. Trimming starts in May. Young shoots are pinched, leaving 4-5 leaves on them. When small young shoots appear near the flower buds, they must be plucked out. Remember: what more luxuriant bush, the weaker the flowering.

For more long flowering you also need to keep the azalea cool. Flower buds in the process of development and swelling release buds - 2-4 buds from each bud. During flowering, all faded must be removed immediately, then the azalea will bloom longer. As the flowers fade, remove the seed pods so as not to weaken the plant.

Unlike many other plants, azalea can be rotated and carried during flowering, the buds will not fall off from this. At caring care Azalea blooms more and more every year.

Azalea crown formation

Flower buds of indoor azaleas form at the tops of the shoots in late summer. In order for the plant to bloom beautifully, it is important to cut it in time so that as many tops as possible form on it. And do not be late with this pruning, otherwise the flower buds will not have time to form on them, and the flowering will be weak.

The purpose of this formation is to get a plant with a beautiful voluminous crown and evenly laid buds. There are two main types of crown in azaleas: - in the form small tree or bush.

To form a tree, you need to choose the most even and strong branch from little bush azaleas and grow a trunk from it, cut off all other shoots. To keep the trunk as straight as possible, tie it to a support and constantly rotate it around the axis. As soon as the trunk reaches the size you need, pin the top. Then the tree will begin to branch. Then you need to periodically turn the plant, pinch the side branches in time and you will get a crown formed in the form of a ball.

Pruning is necessary for early varieties not later than March - April, in the later ones - in May - June. In general, annual pruning comes down to the fact that all shoots of the previous year are shortened and excess, weak or very closely spaced branches are completely removed.

To form a bush, the stalk is pinched at a distance of 10-12 cm from the ground, the tops of the side branches are also pinched and the bush is turned so that the branches grow evenly.

crown tree

crown bush

Azalea breeding

Azalea is propagated by seeds, cuttings, dividing the bush and grafting. Propagation by seeds is laborious and difficult process, which are most often used by professional flower growers for the cultivation of new varieties.

Propagation by cuttings. At home, the azalea is propagated by semi-woody stem cuttings.

Cutting cuttings

Azalea rooting is difficult. The stalk is taken 5-8 cm long, semi-woody. Green cutting quickly wither, and becoming stiff takes a very long time to take root. You can cut cuttings from the middle of winter, but top scores gives spring-summer cuttings (from March to June). Propagate from May to August. Rooting occurs faster and better in an acidic substrate, such as coniferous soil or sphagnum peat. Fresh sections of cuttings are treated with root formation stimulants, pollinated with growth substances, planted vertically to a depth of 1-2.5 cm. glass jar or polyethylene film, regularly watered and sprayed. Optimum temperature for rooting 25C. Cuttings take root in 3-5 weeks.

rooted cuttings

Division of the bush. You can also divide an azalea bush that is already 3-4 years old into several parts. The roots of the plant are thin, superficial, so you need to share with all caution.

Diseases and pests. Azaleas are susceptible to damage by the aealium moth, greenhouse whitefly, mealybug, as well as some other types of insects, mites and mollusks.

Aealia moth (Caloptilia azaleella) is a specific pest of azalea. Damaged leaves dry up, crumble and fall off. Adult caterpillars crawl onto neighboring healthy leaves, fold them into tubes and continue their growth there.

The greenhouse whitefly damages the leaves of azaleas. A sooty fungus settles on the sugary secretions of the whitefly. In addition, the whitefly can be a carrier of some viral diseases of flower crops.

Azalea in a pot is a real decoration of any home and the pride of the grower. This charming plant attracts the eye with a lush, blooming pink and scarlet "hat". For a century, it has been gaining popularity with florists around the world. Azaleas are grown in open areas in Asia, Japan, Europe and North America. This is a rather capricious and finicky plant, but proper care of the azalea will help decorate the house and achieve long-term flowering.

What is an azalea flower?

This green plant with incomparable flowers in indoor floriculture is gaining great popularity. Azalea is a small bush, no more than 20-25 cm high, with oval, dense, dark green leaves and large white, pink or red flowers.

Caring for an azalea at home is very painstaking and it may seem difficult for a novice florist.. The flower is quite demanding on watering, temperature and lighting, but with proper care of the room azalea, its owner will be rewarded with generous flowering. If you have purchased this plant and want to learn how to properly care for it, you need to learn a few important rules. Otherwise, the delicate and capricious flower dies very quickly.

Azalea lighting

This flower does not tolerate bright sun, so caring for an azalea at home requires proper lighting:

• to accommodate potted plant perfect fit window sills from the east side;
• if the place for the plant is determined in a stand or on a shelf, then it is better to choose southern rooms, they have more light, which is so necessary for growing azaleas;
• azalea does not belong to light-loving plants, but heavily shaded places are also not suitable for its location, so it is important to find an optimally lit place without the scorching sun.

temperature for azalea

The flower does not tolerate heat. Therefore, window sills, under which heating radiators are installed, are categorically not suitable for it. For flowering and normal growth, azaleas need cool. It is undesirable for the air temperature to be above 15 degrees.

In the summer, the flower can be transplanted into the garden by choosing a shady place. In order not to damage the root system, experienced flower growers do this without transplanting the plant from the pot. True, in order to protect the soil from getting harmful insects, a nylon stocking is pulled over the pot or wrapped in a fine mesh.

When caring for room azalea, it should be remembered that it does not bloom in the hot season, and when buds begin to form, it is better to put the azalea in a cool place. The flower is most comfortable at this time at temperatures up to 10 degrees.

Watering Azaleas

Experienced flower growers always have settled water or melted snow to care for azalea. The flower simply needs the soil in the pot to always be moist. Often, for these purposes, snow is placed directly on the ground, which slowly melts and moistens it. It is important not to overfill the water. Otherwise, the roots of the flower may rot.

When caring for an azalea, other watering rules should be remembered:

• avoid excessive flooding of the soil with water;
• use only soft settled or rain water;
• spray the flower only from a spray bottle with a fine diffuser;
• add to irrigation water lemon juice(up to 10 drops per bucket);
• do not dry out the soil.

Watering is one of the important components of room azalea care, so the moisturizing regime must be taken very seriously.

Humidity and fertilizing azaleas

Dry air is detrimental to azalea. You can help the flower to transfer dryness from heating in the apartment using frequent spraying. But even this will not be enough. When growing azalea, it is important to properly organize the natural soil moisture.

Choose a deeper and wider bottom tray for the pot.

Fill it with drainage. Pebbles or pieces of sphagnum moss will do.

Make sure there is always liquid in the pan. If the water evaporates quickly, top it up more often.

In order for the plant to receive the necessary minerals, you need to use the right top dressing. It is hardly possible to find a more capricious flower than an azalea, home care for her is not very simple. Therefore, do not experiment by choosing fertilizers on your own, but immediately ask at the flower shop complex top dressing for this flower.

In spring and summer, top dressing is carried out every week. In the autumn-winter period, the plant needs superphosphates, which are applied 1-2 times a month. Insufficiently fertilized soil, as well as improper watering, can cause rare azalea blooms or no buds at all.

Azalea breeding

Azalea can be propagated different ways, but it is best to use one that does not raise many questions and is available even to a novice grower - reproduction cuttings.

In this matter, the main thing is to choose the right stalk. A too young and green shoot will quickly wither in the water, and a very thick and very woody one will take root for a long time. It is better to choose something in between. It is more efficient to propagate azaleas in the spring.

1. Cut off the stem.
2. Treat its cut with a growth and rooting stimulator.
3. Plant in sphagnum peat.
4. Cover the container with the handle with polyethylene, or you can use a glass jar.
5. Spray the seedling daily with water.

For effective rooting Azaleas need warm climate. At a temperature of 25 degrees and sufficient spraying, the first roots will appear in a few weeks.

Reproduction and cultivation of azalea seeds- the process is laborious, often inefficient and is used mainly by experienced flower growers to breed new varieties.

If you have an adult, overgrown bush, then it can be propagated with a simple division. 3-4-year-old plants are suitable for such reproduction. It is necessary to divide the bush very carefully so as not to damage the thin, very vulnerable roots of the flower. The separated plant is transplanted into ready soil. If the conditions that you create for the seedling are comfortable, it will quickly take root, and already in the first season, others will admire the beauty and lush flowering of the azalea.

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Azalea - how to care for at home and achieve lush flowering?